Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘PHA202502’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘PHA202502’, particularly characterized by having purplish-red flowers with dark red-purple lips, flowers that are flat in lateral view, and flowers that have a bump and ridge on the upper and lower side of the apical lobes, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Phalaenopsis hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘PHA202502’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrid of theOrchidaceae family, commonly referred to as moth orchid, and hereinafterreferred to by the variety name ‘PHA202502’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands. The objectiveof this breeding program was to create a new Phalaenopsis plant withnumerous attractive purplish-red flowers with dark red-purple lips,suitable for potted plant production.

The new Phalaenopsis plant ‘PHA202502’ is a result of cross-pollinationmade by the inventor in September 2013 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, ofthe proprietary female, or seed parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘41754-04’(unpatented), with a proprietary male, or pollen parent, Phalaenopsishybrid ‘PHALDUKAI’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 28,157).

The new Phalaenopsis was selected by the inventor as a single plantwithin the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlledgreenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, in July 2016. Asexualreproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by meristem tissue culturesince 2017 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, has demonstrated that the newvariety reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, asherein described, firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations.

Community Plant Variety Rights for this variety have been applied for inthe European Union on Jan. 29, 2021 (Application No. 2021/0302), byApplicant who obtained the subject matter disclosed directly from theinventor. ‘PHA202502’ has not been made publicly available or soldanywhere in the world prior to the effective filing date of thisapplication with the exception of sales or disclosures made one year orless before the effective filing date of this claimed invention byApplicant who obtained ‘PHA202502’ directly from the inventor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, and can be usedto distinguish ‘PHA202502’ as a new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsisplant:

-   -   1) Purplish-red flowers with dark red-purple lips;    -   2) Flower shape in lateral view is flat; and    -   3) Flower has a bump and ridge on the upper and lower side of        the apical lobe.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Phalaenopsis plant is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographs which show the overall plant habit including blooms, buds,and foliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can bereasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. Thephotographs were taken in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands,from 50-week-old plants in April 2022. Colors in the photographs maydiffer from the color values cited in the detailed botanicaldescription, which accurately describe the actual colors of the newvariety.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit, including blooms, buds, andfoliage of ‘PHA202502’.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of a flower of ‘PHA202502’.

FIG. 3 shows an overhead view of the leaves of ‘PHA202502’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘PHA202502’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have notbeen observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotypemay vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature,light intensity, and day length, without, however, any variance ingenotype. The chart used in the identification of colors describedherein is The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society,London, England, 2015 edition, except where general color terms ofordinary significance are used. The color values were determined under4000-6000 lux natural light in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, theNetherlands. Observations and measurements were made in April 2022 onflowering plants which were planted in 12-centimeter (diameter) pots.After in vitro propagation, the plants were grown in nursery trays for20-24 weeks, followed by transplantation to 12-centimeter pots and grownin a greenhouse between 27° C. to 29° C. for 30 weeks, continued by acooling period of 8 weeks between 18° C. to 20° C. and 12 weeks in agreenhouse of 21° C. Flowering occurs after 50 weeks in 12-centimeterpots.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Orchidaceae.        -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrid.        -   Common name.—Moth orchid.        -   Variety name.—‘PHA202502’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘41754-04’            (unpatented).        -   Male parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘PHALDUKAI’ (U.S. Plant            Pat. No. 28,157).-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Meristem tissue culture.-   Roots:    -   -   Root description.—Greyed-green (a color in between RHS 190B            and RHS 190C) colored roots with branching lateral roots            having light yellow-green (RHS 145B) with a touch of dark            purplish-red (RHS N79B) colored root tips.-   Plant:    -   -   Crop time to flowering.—Following asexual propagation (in            vitro), the rooted cuttings grow for 20-24 weeks. After            transplantation into 12-cm pots, the plants are finished            after 48 to 50 weeks.        -   Growth habit of the peduncle.—Upright to slightly pendent            with raceme inflorescence.        -   Height (from soil level to top of            inflorescence).—Approximately 60.0 cm to 65.0 cm.        -   Width (measured from leaf tips).—About 36.0 cm to 38.0 cm.        -   Vigor.—Strong.-   Leaves:    -   -   Mature leaves.—Quantity per plant: 7 to 8 leaves are            produced before flowering. Length (fully expanded): 19.0 cm            to 21.0 cm. Width: 9.0 cm to 10.0 cm. Position of the            broadest part of the leaf: At the middle. Shape: Oblong.            Base shape: Moderately elongated. Apex: Obtuse asymmetric.            Leaf blade angle with the petiole (measured from the            horizontal position): Between 5 degrees and 20 degrees. Leaf            margin: Entire. Color: Upper surface: RHS 146A. Lower            surface: RHS 146B with a dark red margin (RHS 187B). Texture            (both upper and lower surfaces): Smooth. Thickness: 2.0 mm            to 3.0 mm. Variegation: Absent. Venation: Pattern: Parallel.            Color of the midvein: Upper surface: RHS 146A. Lower            surface: RHS 146B with a hint of dark purplish-red (RHS            N79B).-   Peduncle:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—1 to 2.        -   Number of flowers per peduncle.—10 to 12.        -   Length.—60.0 cm to 65.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—4.0 mm to 5.0 mm.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Aspect.—Upright to slightly pendent.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Mix of brown (RHS 200B) and yellow-green (RHS 146D).        -   Internode length.—5.0 cm to 6.0 cm.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendent, raceme            inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open            in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.        -   Number of inflorescences.—1 to 2.        -   Inflorescence size.—Height (from base to tip): 270.0 mm to            310.0 mm.        -   Flowering time.—First flowers can be expected 10 to 11            months after planting in a 12-cm pot.        -   Flower.—Height: 73.0 mm to 78.0 mm. Diameter: 80.0 mm to            85.0 mm. Depth of lip: 23.0 mm to 25.0 mm.        -   Flower shape.—Flat.        -   Flower longevity.—On the plant: 16 to 18 weeks.        -   Fragrance.—Absent.        -   Flower bud.—Average size: Large. Length: 25.0 mm to 27.0 mm.            Width: 20.0 mm to 22.0 mm. Shape: Egg shaped. Color: Touch            of yellow-green (RHS 145B) at the base; dark purple-red (a            color in between RHS N79C and RHS 187B).        -   Petals.—Arrangement: Open/free. Shape: Semi-circular. Apex:            Rounded asymmetric. Margin: Moderately undulated. Length            (from base to tip): 35.0 mm to 37.0 mm. Width: 42.0 mm to            44.0 mm. Position of the broadest part of the petal: Toward            the base. Color (when fully opened): Upper surface: Basic            color: Purplish-red (RHS 61A). Over color: Reddish-purple            (RHS N78A) and light yellow dots (RHS 160D) at the base;            dark red shade (RHS 59B) and purplish-red stripes (RHS 71A)            toward the tip. Lower surface: Basic color: Purplish-red            (RHS 186A). Over color: Touch of white (RHS 156D) at the            base and reddish-purple (RHS 70B) from the base toward the            middle. Number of spots, dots, and stripes on the petals            (upper surface): Many very small dots and many stripes.            Color of spots, dots, and stripes on the petals (upper            surface): Dots (RHS 160D) and stripes (RHS 71A). Density of            netting of the petals (upper surface): None. Color of the            netting (upper surface): Not applicable.        -   Dorsal sepal.—Shape: Elliptic. Apex: Obtuse symmetric.            Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 40.0 mm to            42.0 mm. Width: 34.0 mm to 36.0 mm. Position of the broadest            part of the dorsal sepals: At the middle. Color (when fully            opened): Upper surface: Basic color: Purplish-red (RHS 61A).            Over color: Touch of reddish-purple (RHS N78A) at the base;            red shade (RHS 60A); purplish-red stripes and netting (RHS            71A); very small light yellow dots (RHS 160D). Lower            surface: Basic color: Purplish-red (RHS 71A). Over color:            Yellowish-green (RHS 195B) at the middle from the base            toward the tip. Number of spots, dots, and stripes on the            dorsal sepals (upper surface): Many dots and medium stripes.            Color of spots, dots, and stripes on the dorsal sepals            (upper surface): Dots (RHS 160D) and stripes (RHS 71A).            Density of netting of the dorsal sepals (upper surface):            Low. Color of the netting: RHS 71A.        -   Lateral sepals.—Shape: Ovate. Apex: Obtuse asymmetric.            Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 38.0 mm to            40.0 mm. Width: 29.0 mm to 31.0 mm. Position of the broadest            part of the lateral sepals: Toward the base. Color (when            fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color: Purplish-red (RHS            61A). Over color: Touch of reddish-purple (RHS N78A) at the            base; dark red shade (RHS 187C); dark red stripes and            netting (a color in between RHS 187B and RHS 187C) and light            yellow dots (RHS 160B). Lower surface: Basic color:            Purplish-red (RHS 186A). Over color: Light greenish-yellow            shade and dots (RHS 160C); dark red (RHS 187C) midvein.            Number of spots, dots, and stripes on the lateral sepals            (upper surface): Many of very small dots and medium stripes.            Color of spots, dots, and stripes on the lateral sepals            (upper surface): Dots (RHS 160B) and stripes (a color in            between RHS 187B and RHS 187C). Density of netting of the            lateral sepals (upper surface): Low. Color of the netting            (upper surface): A color in between RHS 187B and RHS 187C.        -   Labellum (lip).—Whiskers: Present. Length of whiskers: 5.0            mm to 7.0 mm. Color of whiskers: Dark red-purple (a color in            between RHS 187B and RHS N79B); light greenish-yellow (RHS            8C) tips. Pubescence on the lip: Absent.        -   Lateral lobe.—Shape: Type IV (as described in the            International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of            Plants (UPOV) Test Guidelines for Phalaenopsis); weakly            spatulate. Margin: Slightly undulated. Length: 14.0 mm to            16.0 mm. Width: 7.0 mm to 9.0 mm. Color: Upper surface:            Touch of light yellow (RHS 160B) and white (RHS 155B) and            striped (RHS 187C) at the base; dark red (RHS 187B) toward            margin on one side and purplish-red (RHS 187D) toward tip            and margin on the other side. Lower surface: White (RHS            155C) and red (RHS 179A) at the base; purplish-red (RHS            187D) and dark red (RHS 187B) toward one margin and the tip.            Number of spots and stripes on the lateral lobe: Few            stripes. Color of spots and stripes on the lateral lobe: RHS            187C. Density of netting of the lateral lobe: None. Color of            the netting: None.        -   Apical lobe.—Shape: Trullate. Margin: Entire. Length: 19.0            mm to 21.0 mm. Width: 20.0 mm to 22.0 mm. Color: Upper            surface: Touch of red (RHS 46A) at the base; dark red            midvein and toward wings (RHS 187B); purplish-red (RHS 187D)            toward the whiskers. Lower surface: Light yellow (RHS 160B)            at the base; red (RHS 185A) at the middle; dark red wings            (RHS 187B); reddish-purple (RHS N78A) toward whiskers.            Number of spots and stripes on the apical lobe: None. Color            of spots and stripes on the apical lobe: None. Density of            netting of the apical lobe: None. Color of the netting:            None. Bump and ridge (upper and lower surface): Present.        -   Callus.—Average size: Small. Height: 4.0 mm to 5.0 mm.            Length: 4.0 mm to 5.0 mm. Width: 3.0 mm to 4.0 mm. Color:            Yellow (RHS 13A) with dark reddish-orange stripes and dots            (RHS 178B).-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Column.—Length: 8.0 mm to 9.0 mm. Diameter: 4.0 mm to            5.0 mm. Color: Purplish-pink (RHS N78C) with reddish-purple            (RHS N78B) overcolor.        -   Pollinia.—Quantity: 2. Diameter: 0.8 mm to 1.0 mm. Color:            Yellow-orange (RHS 23A).        -   Ovary.—Length: 10.0 mm to 12.0 mm. Diameter: 2.6 mm to 3.0            mm.        -   Pedicel.—Length: 33.0 mm to 35.0 mm. Diameter: 3.1 mm to            3.4 mm. Color: Yellow-green (RHS 146D) with a touch of dark            purplish-red (RHS N79B) at the base; light yellow-green (RHS            76A) with a touch of light purple (RHS 76A) toward the            flower. Texture: Smooth.-   Disease, pest, and stress resistance: No specific resistance or    susceptibility observed to pathogens and pests common to    Phalaenopsis to date.-   Fruit and seeds: Fruit and seed development has not been observed on    plants of the new Phalaenopsis to date.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND MOST SIMILAR VARIETIES

‘PHA202502’ differs from the female parent plant, cultivar ‘41754-04’(unpatented), in that ‘PHA202502’ has trullate apical lobes and weaklyspatulated lateral lobes, whereas ‘41754-04’ has rhombic apical lobesand ligulate lateral lobes. Additionally, ‘PHA202502’ has larger flowersthan ‘41754-04’ and the presence of whiskers.

The male parent plant of ‘PHA202502’, ‘PHALDUKAI’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.28,157), is no longer in existence, therefore a meaningful comparisoncannot be made.

‘PHA202502’ is most similar to the commercial Phalaenopsis plants named‘PHALJAKYJE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 33,216) and ‘PHA1904894’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 33,554). ‘PHA202502’ differs from the commercial variety‘PHALJAKYJE’ in that ‘PHA202502’ has obtuse dorsal sepal apexes, whereas‘PHALJAKYJE’ has emarginated dorsal sepal apexes. Additionally,‘PHA202502’ has the main color of the peduncle of brown, whereas‘PHALJAKYJE’ has the main color of the peduncle of green with a touch ofbrown.

‘PHA202502’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHA1904894’ in that‘PHA202502’ has petals with moderate undulation of margin, whereas‘PHA1904894’ has petals with weakly undulated margin. Additionally,‘PHA202502’ has a longer internode length than ‘PHA1904894’.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named‘PHA202502’, substantially as described and illustrated herein.